UV-STOP
Reading time: 4 minutes
It’s important to grab the right sunscreen and UV filter so you don’t get sunburn or risk skin aging. We explain everything you need to know about UV radiation.
UVA, UVB, they are the most familiar abbreviations in sun protection. But what does it really mean? SPF stands for your sunscreen factor, but not every sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. All ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages your skin, your largest organ, unless you protect it properly.
To the naked human eye, UVA and UVB light is not visible. All light rays, including UVA and UVB, have different wavelengths measured in nanometers. Does this information make you a little dizzy? Above all, let’s not get too technical. But it is very important to understand exactly what sun rays do to your skin. That way, you’ll know exactly how to deal with the sun so that you reduce your chances of developing skin cancer, rashes or premature skin aging.
Did you know: ‘UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, where they can damage skin cells that keep your skin firm and resilient’
Sun exposure is unfortunately never harmless. It may leave you with a radiant glow and tan skin, but UV rays always do something to your skin. That is why it is extremely important to protect yourself from the sun with a high SPF. If you don’t do this, you can burn your skin. Short-lived, you may think, but with this you incur sun damage. This results a little later in visible signs of premature skin aging, such as wrinkles, pigmentation spots and sagging skin. To prevent the signs of skin aging, it is important to properly protect yourself with a high SPF. If you’re really unlucky, skin cancer is also on the horizon. Your skin can become allergic to the sun. You then have to deal with sun allergy.
Did you know: ‘Memory tip: UVA stands for A for Aging, UVB for B for Burning’.
The types of UVA rays: UVA versus UVB
We distinguish two types of sun rays that reach our skin: UVA versus UVB. Both are not good news for your skin, but there is a difference. Here’s the thing.
A mnemonic for UVB is the B of burning. UVB rays burn your skin. Sunburn is no fun. You can do a few things here, but the harm is done with burnt skin: you are at a higher risk for skin cancer. Like UVA light, UVB light is present year-round in sunlight or solar radiation. However, UVB is more prevalent in sunny than less-sunny climates. UVB (and UVA) is reflected by sand, water and snow. UVB is also more harmful at high altitudes, such as in the mountains, than in lower-lying areas.
The mnemonic for UVA: the A of Aging, or aging. UVA radiation also plays a role in skin cancer, but is best known as one of the main reasons for premature skin aging. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, where they can damage skin cells. Skin cells that give your skin its firmness and resilience. UVA rays may be blamed for wrinkles. They are also known as stealth killers because you feel the effect of the sun’s rays less. In fact, UVB (and not UVA) causes your skin to tan one shade.
As explained, the sunlight that reaches us consists of two types of harmful rays, but UVA has a longer wavelength. This is in contrast to UVB, which has a short wavelength. As a result, UVA rays penetrate much deeper into the dermis, the thickest layer of the skin. Therefore, it is important to always apply with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Does it say SPF on your sunscreen? Then you are only protected against UVB radiation. With broad-spectrum, you are protected against both UVB and UVA.
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UV-STOP